12 men arrested in internet child porn sweep in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS - A nine month investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies in the Colorado Springs area has led to the arrest of 12 suspects accused of possessing and distributing child pornography.

The suspects range in age from 16 to 68 years old and includes an Airman stationed at Peterson Air Force Base. Some of the men arrested are also accused of child sexual assault.

The investigation began in 2012 when Colorado Springs Police looked into the online distribution of child pornography via peer-to-peer networks.

Investigators located a suspect in Colorado Springs who had hundreds of suspected child pornography files available for distribution. In Dec. 2012, investigators from CSPD and Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at the 31-year-old suspect's residence and recovered evidence.

During the follow-up investigation, it was discovered that the suspect had sexually assaulted juvenile family members. He has since been charged with sexual assault on a child, a class 3 felony.

On 12/06/12, 29-year-old Justin Hays was arrested for sexual exploitation of children. In March 2012, investigators say they located a suspect who had dozens of suspected child pornography files available for distribution. In Dec. 2012, investigators executed a search warrant at Hays' residence and recovered hundreds of images and videos of child pornography. Hays was charged with sexual exploitation of children, a class 4 felony. During the search of the residence, authorities say approximately 25 pounds of marijuana was found. CSPD's Narcotics Unit responded and arrested Hays for offenses related to marijuana, a class 4 felony.

On 12/06/12 21-year-old Roberto Cantu-Nagafuchi was arrested for sexual exploitation of children, a class 3 felony. In May 2012, investigators say Nagafuchi downloaded files from a computer located in Colorado Springs. A subsequent search at the residence revealed evidence related to the distribution and possession of sexually exploitative images were recovered. Nagafuchi was out of the country at the time but was arrested upon his return.

On 12/12/12, 22-year-old O'Reilly Flowers was arrested for sexual exploitation of children, a class 3 felony. In April 2012, the authorities identified Flowers as a possible suspect. In Dec. 2012, investigators executed a search warrant at Flowers' residence where authorities say they found evidence relating to the possession and distribution of child pornography.

On 12/12/12, 45-year-old Eric Montgomery was arrested for sexual exploitation of children. In Aug. 2012, authorities received a tip from Ohio authorities regarding the online distribution of child pornography. The investigation revealed that a suspect in Colorado Springs had been distributing images of child pornography to another suspect in Ohio. Further follow-up identified Montgomery as a possible suspect. In Dec. 2012, investigators executed a search warrant at Montgomery's home where authorities say they found evidence that confirmed that Montgomery was responsible for the possession and distribution of child pornography.

On 12/20/12, 68-year-old Larry Godwin was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for sexual exploitation of children. In Jan. 2012, investigators located a suspect in Broomfield that was distributing hundreds of child pornography files. Further follow-up identified Godwin as a possible suspect. Colorado Springs police met with the Broomfield police and executed a search warrant at an address within Broomfield.

On 12/20/12, 23-year-old Samuel Spivey was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for sexual exploitation of children. In June 2012, investigators located a suspect in Colorado Springs who was distributing images of child pornography and discussing sexually assaulting children. In Sep. 2012, investigators executed a search warrant at Spivey's home and several items of digital media were seized.

On 01/07/13, 29-year-old Czachery Rike was arrested for sexual exploitation of children. In Jan. 2013, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations was notified an Airman was in possession of child pornography. A search warrant was executed at the Airman's residence on Peterson Air Force Base by members of the AFOSI and several items of digital media were collected, according to authorities. Further follow-up by ICAC investigators and forensic analysis of the digital media confirmed that the Airman was responsible for the possession and distribution of child pornography. The Airman was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children, a class 4 felony.

On 01/10/13, a 16-year-old juvenile was arrested by the Colorado Springs Police Department for sexual exploitation of children. In July 2012, investigators executed a search warrant at that residence and collected items of digital media. Follow-up investigation and forensic analysis identified the teen as being responsible for the possession and distribution of child pornography. The juvenile arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children, a class 4 felony.

On 01/11/13, 44-year-old Patrick Lofton was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant issued for sexual exploitation of children. In 2009, the FBI began an investigation into the online distribution of child pornography via peer-to-peer networks. In April 2009, the FBI executed a search warrant at Lofton's home, and items of digital media were seized. In Dec. 2011, after further follow-up and analysis was conducted by the FBI, the case was transferred to the Colorado Springs police.

On 01/25/13, 54-year-old Clifton Bennett was arrested for sexual exploitation of children. In Dec. 2013, Investigators received a tip pertaining to Bennett's online activities. According to police, the investigation revealed that Bennett had purchased thousands of dollars of child pornography videos. Bennett had been arrested previously for possession of child pornography. In Jan. 2013, a search warrant was executed at Bennett's home and evidence was recovered that confirmed that Bennett was responsible for the possession of thousands of images and videos of child pornography.

On 01/29/13, 54-year-old James Wofford was arrested for sexual exploitation of children. In Oct. 2012, an investigation began into Wofford's online activities. According to police, someone had found printed images of child pornography in a storage unit belonging to Wofford. Also recovered from that storage unit was a computer that allegedly contained images and videos of child pornography. Wofford's had been convicted twice in both Colorado and Georgia for sexual assault on a child and was a registered sex offender. In Nov, 2012 a federal search warrant was executed at Wofford's residence and evidence was recovered.